The Covid hiatus should close this year. The more the months go by, the more the French companies that live from tourism return to levels of attendance comparable to, or even higher than, those of the year 2019. Witness the figures published this Wednesday by INSEE.
In total, in the second quarter, the weekend or holiday nights of French and foreigners both in hotels and in other categories of accommodation dedicated to tourism approached the symbolic milestone of 80 million. This remains 3% below the 2019 level. But this slight change is only attributable to the lower presence of foreign tourists. While the overnight stays of the French were only more numerous during this spring than in the same period of 2019.
In the sea as in the mountains, more people than in 2019
The fact that foreigners are still somewhat scarce has mainly affected tourist accommodation in the Ile-de-France region. With 4.7% fewer overnight stays compared to 2019. On the other hand, on the French coast, as in the mountains, the high number of French households has made it possible to exceed the levels reached in the spring of 2019.
And this summer is already shaping up to be the long-awaited return of foreign customers, especially Americans. A clientele whose purchasing power has increased considerably compared to 2019 with a dollar that, in three years, has gained 12% against the euro. A boon in particular for hoteliers who, in July, not only filled their hotels well but at much higher rates than before Covid.
Revenue per hotel room much higher than in 2019
According to the company MKG, a reference in the statistical monitoring of the hotel market, revenue per available room increased in France by 14.4% compared to July 2019. The big winners of this spectacular upturn are the hoteliers of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur . Compared to July 2019, their revenue per available room increased by 36%.
But his fellow Parisians, who have been struggling for more than a year to recover, have clearly found a smile. In July, the average income per room was, in Ile-de-France, 17.3% higher than in 2019. A clear sign that foreign clients have returned.
Source: BFM TV
